Compacted soil is one of the most common causes for an unhealthy lawn. When compacted, water and fertilizer cannot penetrate the root system. This results in slow or stunted growth, a shallow root system, pooling of water in low areas and bare areas with no grass or weeds. Causes for soil compaction include heavy foot traffic, poor drainage and the use of heavy equipment, especially riding lawn mowers.

Thatch is a spongy layer of dead and living grass that develops between your lawn and the soil. Thatch is an excellent habitat for insect pests and disease, makes mowing difficult, and reduces air and water flow. When excessive, thatch causes serious problems in Florida lawns.

The best remedy for compacted soil is core aeration. This is the process of removing thousands of small cores or “plugs” of soil and thatch, 2 ¾” deep, from your lawn using hollow tubes called tines. This loosens the soil, helps reduce excessive thatch and allows water, nutrients and oxygen to reach the root zone. Core aeration also helps reduce some excessive thatch without extensive damage from conventional methods such as power raking or verticutting. Core aeration is recommended at least once per year, during the spring or fall.


Land Shark Pest Control offers core aeration services using the highest quality, state-of-the-art equipment. Our aeration service includes an irrigation inspection and marking all irrigation heads, valve covers, termite bait stations, French drains etc. to avoid being damaged during the process. An application of fertilizer focused on root growth is applied immediately following the aeration process and is watered directly into the root zone.

Interested in our core aeration service? Call or text Land Shark Pest Control at 407-580-8703